Abstract: Phospho-vanillin reagent suitable for reaction with a mixture of sulfuric acid and an animal fluid containing at least 1 mg/ml lipids to determine total lipid concentration in the animal fluid comprising an aqueous solution containing vanillin and phosphoric acid having a vanillin to phosphoric acid mole ratio between 1.12 .times. 10.sup.-.sup.3 and 2.08 .times. 10.sup.-.sup.3. A sample of the animal fluid is mixed with concentrated sulfuric acid in a container, incubated, and the phospho-vanillin reagent is added to the mixture in the same container to form a chromogen. The light absorbance of the chromogen is measured and the total lipid concentration is determined in accordance with Beer's law from a standard curve relating total lipid concentration as a function of light absorbance by the chromogen.

Abstract: Apparatus for radioimmunoassay provides a continuously reusable short cycle analytical system of particular use in biochemical analysis such as the determination of steroids, hormones, polypeptides, viruses, vitamins, drugs, and the like. The apparatus disclosed samples a mixture of an unlabelled antigen sample and a known concentration of labelled antigen, bringing the mixture into contact with a mass of appropriate antibody that has been immobilized thereby to bind at least part of the mixed antigen to the antibody. The amount of bound and/or unbound labelled antigen is detected and counted and, by use of previously prepared standards, the unknown concentration of unlabelled antigen is found. The still immobilized antibody is regenerated for immediate reuse by rinsing it with a selected eluting solution that is capable of breaking the antigen-antibody. Alternate ways of immobilizing the antibody are described. Several suitable eluting solutions are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for treatment of animal blood to simulate human blood for use as a reference standard for automated biological testing instruments wherein the enzyme activities are reduced by base-acid treatment of the serum or plasma from animals and which may include one or more additional treatments, such as decolorizing with an oxidant, removal of inorganic phosphate with an anion exchange resin, reduction of other electrolyte levels by treatment with a mixed bed ion exchange resin, reduction of glucose by treatment with glucose oxidase and the blending of processed animal sera to achieve constituent levels corresponding with human blood serum, including lyophilization of the serum product.

Abstract: Specimen agitation apparatus comprises a horizontal turntable carrying, and its periphery, a plurality of substantially equally spaced vessels for receiving specimens to be agitated. The turntable is rotated stepwise about its central axis by a stepping motor which applies driving impulses to the turntable so as to cause it to rotate from a first rotational position to a second rotational position, but before coming to rest at the second position the turntable oscillates about the central axis to agitate the specimens.

Abstract: A test sample containing L-lysine in proteinaceous substances is reacted with a .gamma.-formyl-pyridine reagent of the general formula ##SPC1##Wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each aliphatic carbon groups having not more than 4 carbon atoms or forming with two adjacent carbon atoms in the pyridine ring aromatic rings, in order to form the corresponding Schiff base, and the amount of reacted pyridine reagent is determined.

Abstract: Improved test compositions, devices and methods are provided for detecting peroxidatively active substances in body fluids, excreta and the like. In the type of test compositions including an indicator capable of being oxidized in the presence of a peroxidatively active substance to provide a color change, an oxidizing agent effective to oxidize said indicator, and a potentiating agent, the improvement comprises the use as said potentiating agent of an acid salt or adduct of a compound selected from the class of compounds of the general formula ##SPC1##Wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen, lower alkyl, hydroxy or thiophenyl; R.sub.2 is hydrogen or lower alkyl; R.sub.3 is hydrogen or lower alkyl; R.sub.4 is hydrogen, carboxy, lower alkyl or lower alkoxy; and R.sub.5 is hydrogen or lower alkyl.

Abstract: A stable reagent for use in a rapid and sensitive globulin estimation procedure consists of 60-70 volumes of glacial acetic acid, 1-20 volumes of monomethyl ether of ethylene glycol, 5-15 volumes of phosphoric acid, 5-15 volumes of sulfuric acid, 0.2-0.6 volumes of twenty percent glyoxylic acid in aqueous solution, and 0.4-1.2 volumes of ten pecent ferric chloride hexahydrate in aqueous solution. The reagent is far more stable, sensitive, and tolerant of water in the reaction mixture than previously known reagents used in the glyoxylic reaction.

Abstract: By differential elution of hemoglobin from fetal and adult erythrocytes using a succinic acid/succinate or a malic acid/malate buffer, fetal erythrocytes in adult blood may be detected and quantitated.

Abstract: A method for immunological determinations in which use is made of a volume of a hydrophilic, insoluble, porous gel particles having binding proteins entrapped therein, and in which a fluid to be tested is introduced into the volume of gel particles whereby some of the binding sites are occupied followed by exposure of the gel particles to radio active tagged material followed by measurement of the radio activity of the unbound or bound tagged material. The binding proteins in the gel particles are returned to their original state for re-use by treatment with acidic medium to effect detachment of the bound material followed by washing to effect removal of the unbound material, and then drying.

Abstract: Blood Cells are suspended in a physiological saline solution modified by the addition of a small amount of gelatin. The presence of gelatin serves to reduce attractive forces between the blood cells and glass surfaces in testing procedures.

Abstract: Process for rinsing of dishes in dishwashing machines having one or several clear-rinsing cycles using an aqueous solution of an adduct of from 5 to 20 moles of ethylene oxide and from 1 to 10 moles of propylene oxide to a secondary alkanol with a linear alkane chain of from 10 to 20 carbon atoms as clear-rinsing agents for use in the process.

Abstract: Method for quantitatively analyzing substances containing elements other than carbon, hydrogen and oxygen by (1) adsorbing such substances on a particulate, substantially dust and contaminant free carbonized product prepared by (A) first partially dehydrochlorinating a normally crystalline vinylidene chloride polymer at temperatures below the melting point of such polymer to an extent of at least about 5 percent of theoretical HCl loss, then (B) completing the dehydrochlorination of such material, in the substantial absence of oxygen, by heating the material to carbonizing temperatures of from about 600.degree.C to about 1200.degree.C; then (2) analyzing the substance adsorbed on such carbonized product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring CO.sub.2, O.sub.2 and chlorides in body fluids, such as whole blood, blood serum and plasma, etc. A reagent and a known amount of sample to be tested react in a closed vessel to release the gas to be measured into a gas space. A displacement liquid is then introduced to expel the released gas in the gas space to a detector, where its concentration in a stationary gas sample is measured. The mixture of sample, reagent, and gas is then drained from the vessel and from the detector and a reverse flow of excess flushing fluid (gas) is moved through the detector and vessel to flush the apparatus so that another measurement can begin.

Abstract: An organic carbon analyzer system particularly adapted for the continuous analysis of raw sewage of a municipality. A gaseous transport is provided for carrying acidified liquid sewage including dispersed particulate matter through an elongated aeration chamber wherein carbon dioxide evolved from inorganic salts diffuses away from the sewage and into the gas. A second gaseous transport free of carbon dioxide and including an oxidizing agent then carries the sewage into a heated chamber having a tortuous interior surface which provides sufficient retention time to oxidize organic carbonaceous materials of the sewage resulting in a second evolution of carbon dioxide. An analyzer provides a continuous reading of the concentration of the carbon dioxide produced in the heated chamber.

Abstract: A radioimmunoassay method for the determination of triiodothyronine in human and animal fluids and tissues, particularly in serum. The method involves the separation of triiodothyronine from its binding proteins using a dextran gel column followed by competitive binding between the freed triiodothyronine and radioactive labeled triiodothyronine which remain bound to the gel column for triiodothyronine-specific anti-serum. Bound and free labeled triiodothyronine are separated by washing the column and their ratio is determined based on the amount of radioactivity remaining in the column to that originally added thereto.

Abstract: A vial assembly useful in conducting tests which involve charcoal adsorption from fluid and centrifugal separation thereof, and which is particularly useful in radioimmunoassay. The assembly includes a vial, a cap therefor and activated charcoal in the cap. The cap defines a compartment in communication with, but spaced from the open end of the vial. The activated charcoal is releasably secured in the compartment to the cap by means of an asperate inner surface and/or plural spaced protrusions within the cap compartment.

Abstract: Novel method of killing microorganisms in the inside of a container comprising repeatedly sparking a focused, ultra-short-pulsed laser beam in the inside thereof.

Abstract: The ability of serum to bind cholesterol in soluble lipoprotein complexes is believed to retard the deposition of cholesterol in atherosclerotic plaques. This ability is measured by "serum cholesterol binding reserve" (SCBR), defined as the amount of exogenous cholesterol which a serum specimen is capable of solubilizing in addition to its cholesterol content. A method for determining SCBR has been developed. An excess amount of cholesterol is added to a sample of blood serum and incubated. The amount of cholesterol solubilized by the serum is then measured. Test results in case-control studies of premature myocardial infarction have demonstrated the usefulness of SCBR in assessing the risk of coronary heart disease.

Abstract: A gas-sensor element for detecting oxidizable gases and vapors such as alcohols for carbon monoxide, which is characterized by comprising a complex metal oxide having the K.sub.2 MgF.sub.4 -type crystal structure and represented by the general formula A.sub.2-x A'.sub.x BO.sub.4-.sub..delta., wherein A is at least one element selected from the group consisting of rare earth elements of the atomic numbers from 57 to 71, yttrium, and hafnium, A' is at least one element selected from the group consisting of alkaline earth metals and lithium, B is at least one element selected from the group consisting of transition elements of the atomic numbers from 21 to 30, 0 is oxygen, x is in the range of 0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.2, and .delta. is a nonstoichiometric parameter.

Abstract: A manually operable, disposable diagnostic device which is useful for the rapid measurement of coagulation rates consists of a uniform bore reaction tube which may be used to take up the sample and contains the appropriate amounts of lyophilized reagents required to conduct individual tests such as that for prothrombin time. In an example, calibration marks on the tube have been correlated in terms of prothrombin times. The position at which a liquid sample becomes immobilized as it descends down the tube corresponds to the test time. The rate of descent is controlled by a limiting orifice or by inclining the tube to the vertical axis.